As head of the Working Committee on Foreign NGOs, Deputy Minister Ngoc stressed that foreign NGO affairs are an important part of Vietnam's development and foreign policies.

"The Vietnamese Government has been paying attention to foreign NGO affairs in order to perfect legal regulations and policies in this field. The promulgation of Decree No. 58 was part of these efforts," he said, adding that various activities have been carried out to disseminate and implement the decree.

Ngoc noted that the conference was the first held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the decree.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc addresses the conference. Photo: VNA

Representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Planning and Investment, and the State Bank of Vietnam also provided details on Decree No. 58 and guidelines for its implementation.
They also briefed the conference on the management of foreign NGOs and the use of their assistance.

At the event, officials and foreign NGOs shared their thoughts on registration procedures, approval of foreign NGOs' programs and projects, recruitment of staff, and other issues.

Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, the conference focused on the implementation of Government Decree No. 58 of August 31, 2022, which regulates the registration and management of foreign NGOs in Vietnam. The event was attended by more than 200 representatives from ministries, central agencies, localities and foreign NGOs in Vietnam.

After more than 60 years of operation in Vietnam, foreign NGOs have been closely involved in the development of Vietnamese localities and people, contributing to solving community problems, improving people's material and spiritual lives, and promoting the country's socio-economic development.

Foreign NGOs are also ambassadors who help spread the image of Vietnam and local people to the world, and contribute to strengthening and cultivating cooperation, friendship, understanding and mutual trust between the Vietnamese people and progressive forces around the world.

Decree No. 58 sets conditions for registration of foreign NGOs

Since November 1, 2022, foreign NGOs in Vietnam has been granted registration certificates if they have a valid legal entity status in the countries or territories where they were established.

This is one of the conditions set by Decree No. 58 on the Registration and Management of Foreign NGOs in the Country, issued by the Vietnamese Government on August 31, 2022.

To obtain registration certificates, foreign NGOs must have clear statutes, principles, and goals that are in line with Vietnam's interests; provide details of their planned programs, projects, and non-project activities to support development and humanitarian aid in Vietnam within three years; and nominate their representatives in the country.

They can apply for registration certificates directly, by mail or online to the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs.

After receiving the applications, the committee will review the dossiers. If the dossiers are qualified, it will collect opinions from relevant ministries, agencies, as well as administrations of localities where the foreign NGOs plan to work, and then send the applications and opinions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration.

Within 10 working days from the date of receiving the applications of foreign NGOs and the opinions of relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall make an assessment, decide whether to issue registration certificates or not, and notify the Foreign NGO Affairs Committee of the results.

Within 30 working days from the date of receipt of eligible documents, the Committee will send registration certificates to foreign NGOs directly or by mail. If the applications are rejected, it will send written notifications to the organizations, stating the reasons.